Havoc (Storm MC 7)

He was silent for a moment and I held my breath.

Please say yes.

“Are you thinking of travelling?” he asked.

“Maybe, but only if you are okay with it. Work is my number one priority, always, so I don’t want you to think it isn’t.”

“I don’t see why you can’t work from wherever you go. I’d need to see you every now and then, so as long as you make yourself available when that is, everything should be good.”

“Awesome. I’ll keep you updated with my plans. I don’t have anything organised yet because I wanted to run it by you first.”

“Carla, I just want to create a business that people love to work with so if you’re happy, I’m happy. And if you keep creating designs like the ones you have been, I’m bloody ecstatic.”

I wasn’t used to praise like his when it came to work. Waitressing had always been a hard slog and I’d often completed eight-hour shifts feeling exhausted and unappreciated. Working with Jack was a whole new experience.

“Thank you, Jack, that means a lot.” If he could see the grin on my face, he would have understood just how much.

“Okay, I’ve gotta go, but I’ll see you early tomorrow, say nine?”

“Absolutely,” I agreed and we ended the call.

I placed my phone on the kitchen table and turned to face Velvet. “My boss loves me,” I blurted out, still grinning. My body buzzed with excitement at not only his praise, but also at his permission for me to work from anywhere.

Velvet smiled. “I kinda got that impression. What was that all about? Are you thinking about leaving town?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m not sure, Vi, but I want to be with Havoc and his life is on the road. I figured I should work out what my options are.”

Her brows lifted. “Wow, I’m surprised.”

I shrugged. “Well, he might not even want me on the road with him, so it may never eventuate. And I wouldn’t even consider it if Jack wasn’t good with it. Work is my top priority.”

Her mouth spread out into a smile. “I didn’t mean I was surprised in a bad way. I’m happy for you that things are falling into place. And I’m really happy that you’re okay with your plans being altered. The way you’re rolling with the changes and making new plans without losing your cool is awesome. Even Nash mentioned it.”

“Really?” Nash and I hadn’t spent a lot of time together since Havoc left the hospital. All I knew was that he was still against our relationship.

She nodded. “Yeah, he watched you guys together at the clubhouse the other night and mentioned that you seemed really happy. Well, after I prodded him to admit it, that is.”

I sighed. “Of course he would need you to drag it out of him. I wish he would just get over himself and accept this for what it is.”

“Your brother is a stubborn man, you know that.” She paused and her gaze shifted to my hair. “I love the blonde on you. When did you do that?”

“I saw Roxie a few days ago, on your day off.” I twirled a few strands of my hair. “So you think it suits me?

I’m still getting used to it.”

“It really does. When I saw you the other night, I did a double-take because I hardly recognised you.”

“Thanks, Vi. I’ve often thought of trying it and when Havoc’s sister told me he loved blondes, I figured it was a good time to do it.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You didn’t do this for him, did you?”

“I did it for me. I mean, the fact he loves blondes spurred me on, but I’d never change something about myself solely to keep him happy. I will admit that I was really nervous about his reaction, though.” I paused for a moment as my insecurities heated my face. “I hate feeling anxious about what my man thinks. It’s something I’ve struggled with whenever I’ve dated a guy I really liked and thought could be the one.”

Her face creased in a frown. “Does Havoc make you feel that way?”

“Not at all and that’s what I love about him. Honestly, up until this point I hadn’t felt any of my usual insecurities. His sister threw me off when she told me he had a type and I didn’t fit it. I know it’s stupid, but—”

She cut me off. “But it’s what us women do, right? We second-guess ourselves and we shouldn’t.”